NerdWallet's Smart Money Podcast

Shannon Bradley, an auto writer at NerdWallet, shares insights on how tariffs are reshaping the car market and the potential for rising prices. She offers tips on when to buy a car to avoid increasing costs. Amanda Barroso, a personal finance expert, discusses balancing saving and spending, tailored budgeting strategies, and how to enhance credit scores for moving out. The hosts navigate the emotional aspects of financial independence while helping listeners align their financial decisions with personal goals.

In this engaging discussion, Bella Avila, a NerdWallet tax writer, shares her insights on effective tax filing and document management. The conversation covers essential tips for organizing financial documents, including what to keep and for how long, plus safe disposal methods. Avila answers listener questions about managing unexpected tax bills and navigating tax obligations in multiple states. With strategies for personal tax management and encouragement to take control of your financial situation, this talk is both informative and empowering.

Anna Helhoski, a senior news writer at NerdWallet, breaks down the complexities of the U.S. national debt, explaining its implications for everyday Americans. She discusses who the U.S. owes money to and the importance of understanding this debt in the context of personal finance. The conversation shifts to compare 401(k) plans and brokerage accounts for retirement savings, weighing their pros and cons. The experts highlight investment flexibility and the benefits of diversifying beyond employer-offered plans, guiding listeners to make informed financial decisions.

Discover the truth behind wealth-building myths and how you can achieve financial success without starting a business. Learn about the benefits of consistent investment strategies versus entrepreneurship. A married couple shares their journey towards aligning financial goals, discussing shared values and balancing short- and long-term priorities. Delve into retirement savings options, comparing Roth IRAs to Roth 401(k)s, and find out how to effectively utilize extra budget space for emergency funds and future family savings.

In this insightful discussion, Anna Helhoski, a senior news writer at NerdWallet, shares her expertise on recession risks and economic indicators. She explains how to budget effectively with the 50/30/20 rule and the importance of building an emergency fund. Joining the conversation is Lisa Green, NerdWallet's insurance expert, who delves into car insurance essentials. She breaks down coverage types, discusses minimum limits, and shares savvy tips on how to lower your insurance costs by seeking discounts and raising deductibles.

Jonathon Haddad, President of Next Door Lending, brings his mortgage brokerage expertise, explaining the financial benefits of using a broker, including potential savings of over $10,000 in interest. Kate Wood, NerdWallet's mortgage expert, tackles budgeting strategies for home buying, highlighting overlooked expenses first-time buyers face. They explore the ins and outs of mortgage shopping, the impact of down payment sizes, and how to navigate today's changing housing market, equipping listeners with essential knowledge for informed decisions.

Learn how to juggle finances for aging parents and kids, plus what the latest labor market data means for your wallet.How do you navigate the financial challenges of caring for aging parents while raising kids? How should the job market impact your financial decisions? Hosts Sean Pyles and Elizabeth Ayoola break down the realities of the sandwich generation and the latest labor market trends shaping Americans’ financial outlook.They begin with a discussion of how economic sentiment differs from reality, exploring new data on job security, wage growth, and job seekers' frustrations. Senior news writer Anna Helhoski and NerdWallet economist Elizabeth Renter join to discuss how people’s perceptions of the labor market compare to actual employment data and why younger workers feel the impact of job market shifts more acutely. Then, NerdWallet Medicare authority and certified senior advisor (CSA)®  Kate Ashford joins to tackle the financial challenges of managing aging parents’ finances while also raising children. They discuss essential conversations to have with loved ones, strategies for handling medical and long-term care costs, and the importance of estate planning and power of attorney.Read NerdWallet’s new report looking at our perception of how things are relative to what they really are: https://www.nerdwallet.com/article/finance/labor-market-sentiment In their conversation, the Nerds discuss: managing parents’ finances, sandwich generation financial planning, how to care for aging parents financially, power of attorney for parents, how to talk to parents about money, estate planning for parents, best way to pay for long-term care, Medicare vs Medicaid long-term care, financial help for caregivers, how to manage caregiving costs, labor market trends 2025, job market outlook 2025, job market for Gen Z, wage growth vs inflation, worker sentiment survey, hiring trends 2025, job security in 2025, financial stress of caregiving, balancing kids and elderly parents, generational wealth planning, how to talk to family about money, financial stress and mental health, caregiving while working full-time, and budgeting for multi-generational households.To send the Nerds your money questions, call or text the Nerd hotline at 901-730-6373 or email podcast@nerdwallet.com.Like what you hear? Please leave us a review and tell a friend. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Learn how to budget for travel, save on flights, and maximize credit card rewards for your next trip.How can you budget and save money for travel? How can you maximize credit card rewards and travel points to help lower trip costs? Hosts Meghan Coyle and Sally French discuss budgeting strategies and travel rewards to help you plan smarter for your trips. They begin by sharing new data that might impact your budget for spring break travel, give some highlights of new airport lounges that opened in Las Vegas and Philadelphia, and discuss a change coming to the Uber app that could affect you if you’re traveling abroad. Then, they dig into some options for setting a travel budget, with tips on estimating costs using Google Flights, creating a dedicated travel savings fund, and planning ahead for rising airfare prices. Meghan and Sally also explore some of the ways you can leverage credit card perks and travel rewards to stretch your budget even further. Resources discussed in this episode: LAS Centurion Lounge Review Capital One Lounge Las Vegas: Hits the Jackpot with Food and Drinks What Credit Cards Can Get Me Into Chase Lounges, And Where Are They Located? Best No Foreign Transaction Fee Credit Cards The Best Days to Book a Flight and When to Fly Best High-Yield Savings Accounts  The Best Travel Credit Card Welcome Bonus Offers Right Now In their conversation, the Nerds discuss: travel budget, how to save money for travel, best travel credit cards, travel points and miles, airline rewards, Google Flights price alerts, budgeting for flights, cheap flights, best time to book flights, credit card travel perks, Southwest Companion Pass, travel savings account, airfare inflation, high-yield savings for travel, vacation budget, flexible travel dates, how to maximize travel rewards, best hotel rewards programs, credit card sign-up bonuses, when to use travel points, credit cards with no foreign transaction fees, airline lounge access, how to get cheap last-minute flights, and unexpected travel expenses. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Learn why tariffs are driving up prices and how you can still save money. Plus, how to catch up on retirement savings if you started late.How will new tariffs impact your grocery bill and big-ticket purchases? Is early retirement an option if you’re behind on retirement savings? Hosts Sean Pyles and Elizabeth Ayoola discuss rising costs due to tariffs and strategies for catching up on retirement savings. They’re joined by NerdWallet senior news writer Anna Helhoski, who leads a conversation with personal finance writers Kim Palmer and Amanda Barroso about the latest trade developments and their effects on consumer prices. They begin with a discussion on tariffs, explaining which everyday items — like groceries, gas, and electronics — are likely to get more expensive, how these price hikes trickle down to domestic goods, and why panic-buying may not be the best response. Then, Amy, a listener in Wisconsin, joins Sean and Elizabeth to discuss retirement planning after starting savings later in life. They explore realistic ways to build a retirement nest egg, including catch-up contributions, rethinking lifestyle costs, and alternative approaches to the FIRE movement — AKA financial independence, retire early. Here’s how to find out how much you should save for retirement: https://www.nerdwallet.com/article/investing/how-much-to-save-for-retirementUser NerdWallet’s retirement calculator to find out if you’re on track to save enough for retirement: https://www.nerdwallet.com/calculator/retirement-calculator Learn about the FIRE movement (financial independence, retire early): https://www.nerdwallet.com/article/investing/financial-independence-retire-early In their conversation, the Nerds discuss: tariffs 2025, grocery prices rising, grocery price inflation, how tariffs affect prices, consumer goods tariffs, grocery savings tips, meal planning apps, best grocery list apps, grocery price hikes, food inflation 2024, how to save on groceries, price increase on imported goods, China tariffs, Mexico tariffs, Canada tariffs, retirement savings strategies, how to catch up on retirement savings, Barista FIRE, early retirement strategies, how to invest for retirement, retirement savings at 50, compound interest retirement, financial planner retirement, Roth IRA vs 401k, employer 401k match, best investments for retirement, late starter retirement plan, retirement planning mistakes, financial independence, cost of living in retirement, how to retire abroad, and expat retirement planning.To send the Nerds your money questions, call or text the Nerd hotline at 901-730-6373 or email podcast@nerdwallet.com.Like what you hear? Please leave us a review and tell a friend. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Discover how AI can revolutionize personal finance through budgeting apps and robo-advisors. The hosts dive into the advantages and potential pitfalls of relying on AI for money management. They also unpack the ins and outs of Roth conversions, exploring when to consider them and the tax implications involved. Learn about strategies for optimizing contributions, especially for high-income earners, while emphasizing the vital role of human expertise alongside technology in financial decision-making.